Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has announced that the government will settle the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration fees for 1.5 million Kenyans who cannot afford the Sh300 contribution.
Ruto said the payments will begin next week, ensuring that vulnerable households are not left behind in accessing healthcare.
“We have identified 1.5 million Kenyans who cannot afford the SHA registration fee. The government will cover the cost for all of them, and payment mechanisms will begin next week,” he stated.
Speaking when he hosted grassroots leaders from Turkana County, the President explained that the SHA model requires contributions based on income levels, with high earners paying more than those with little or no income.
He gave his own example, noting that he now contributes Sh40,000 monthly compared to the Sh1,000 he used to pay, to make the system fair and sustainable.
This, as he emphasised the importance of Kenyans registering for SHA highlighting two key benefits which is free outpatient treatment and government support for inpatient care where families are unable to meet costs.
“For those who do not have the capacity to pay Sh300, the government will step in. Because we pay more, we now have money. That way, no Kenyan will be forced to sell their land or livestock to pay hospital bills,” he said.
The President also lauded counties for establishing facility improvement funds.
He stated that health allocations will now be sent directly to hospitals instead of passing through county governments.
“A dispensary, for example, will receive money directly so that it can stock its own drugs and manage its operations,” he explained.
On medical supplies, Ruto revealed that the government has allocated Sh10 billion to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) to guarantee adequate medicines across the country.
He added that reforms are underway to ensure drugs are distributed directly to health facilities, bypassing bureaucratic delays.
“We want medicines to move straight from Nairobi to dispensaries, not through Lodwar first,” the President remarked.
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